In Pictures: 2015 Camp Quality Convoy

The StanTrans & Son crew, from left, Scott Thompson, Jayden Bowden, Samantha Bacon, John Stan, Adriana Stan and Will Stan.

Anthony Latorre’s Kenworth K200 was ready to take off at Avalon.

Left to right, (rear) Jack Rotnick and Damien Bennett with (front) Lindsay Rotnik and Rueben Bennett, and the mini Peterbilt.

From left, Greg Cook with sons Jake and Ash.

Allied Transport Services were there in numbers, as well as bringing 10 trucks for the convoy.

Early morning airport line-up.

Lining up at Avalon airport.

The Neals Haulage team arrived from Colac.

Ashley Davidson and son Jay, centre in blue shirt, with the Plunkett Crane Trucks team.

Shannon and Denise Brown arrived in a Gunn Freight Kenworth.

En route to Geelong.

A handy vantage point for spectators.

On the home straight.

Wayne and Robyn Trask drove across from Colac.

John Benson.

The hula hoops were in full swing.

On stage at the Geelong Showgrounds, Mac Darby, 5, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 is interviewed by Bay FM’s Mark Hyland, as his mother Andrea Benton and sister Zara look on.

Jason Barry (right) and his partner Bronwyn.

David and Jessica Rose.

The pre-convoy briefing at Avalon Airport.

The Riordan Grain Services’ team with the lead truck.

Carsten and Penny Smits.

The StanTrans & Son crew, from left, Scott Thompson, Jayden Bowden, Samantha Bacon, John Stan, Adriana Stan and Will Stan.

Anthony Latorre’s Kenworth K200 was ready to take off at Avalon.

Left to right, (rear) Jack Rotnick and Damien Bennett with (front) Lindsay Rotnik and Rueben Bennett, and the mini Peterbilt.

From left, Greg Cook with sons Jake and Ash.

Allied Transport Services were there in numbers, as well as bringing 10 trucks for the convoy.

Early morning airport line-up.

Lining up at Avalon airport.

The Neals Haulage team arrived from Colac.

Ashley Davidson and son Jay, centre in blue shirt, with the Plunkett Crane Trucks team.

Shannon and Denise Brown arrived in a Gunn Freight Kenworth.

En route to Geelong.

A handy vantage point for spectators.

On the home straight.

Wayne and Robyn Trask drove across from Colac.

John Benson.

The hula hoops were in full swing.

On stage at the Geelong Showgrounds, Mac Darby, 5, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 is interviewed by Bay FM’s Mark Hyland, as his mother Andrea Benton and sister Zara look on.

Jason Barry (right) and his partner Bronwyn.

David and Jessica Rose.

The city of Geelong held its inaugural Camp Quality Convoy last month, and the unexpected large turnout almost caught organisers off guard. Peter and Di Schlenk write.

The gates of Avalon Airport flew open at 7am on February 15, signalling the start of Geelong’s first ever Camp Quality Convoy.

By the time of the convoy briefing on the tarmac, more than 200 trucks and around 50 motorbikes were ready to roll for the slow and purposeful run through Geelong and the Geelong Showgrounds.

The prestigious position of lead truck went to Riordan Grain Services’ Kenworth SAR, driven by Kane Whiting. The rig was followed by eight other Riordan trucks.

Graeme Reid, Geelong Camp Quality Volunteer Group president, says hopes are that the bidding for the convoy’s lead truck position will grow in coming years.

"We knew the Geelong community would get behind it, but it’s not only the Geelong community. We’ve got trucks and bikes that have come from all over Victoria," Graeme enthuses.

"It’s actually the Victorian Camp Quality Convoy that’s being held in Geelong."

On Friday evening before the convoy, Ritchie Bros held a goods and services auction where bidders enjoyed a cocktail night and bid for a variety of items.

Riordan Grain Services’ winning bid for the lead truck position was $10,000, with the company’s transport manager Joe Strawford admitting they initially didn’t plan to be that heavily involved.

"Graeme paid me a visit in September and explained the concept and that they had chosen Geelong," Joe recalls.

"The city is quite a transport hub now and is growing all the time, especially with the Geelong port precinct.

"He asked my thoughts on it and I said it was a great idea.

"I then used our contacts throughout the industry to help promote the convoy and at the same time encourage fundraising, and awareness for Camp Quality and the kids."

Riordan showed off its dedication to the event, with the staff wearing the convoy T-shirts, and having its eight trucks washed and polished for the event.

"We had morning teas, barbecues … we even had a swear box within the office but unfortunately it filled rather quickly," Joe smiles.

"But it’s hats off to our staff because these guys contributed RDOs and annual leave.

"We are proud of our team. The office staff and our drivers — they are great people with big hearts.

"We now have 12 months to build on it and it can only get bigger and bigger," Joe says.

Allied Transport Services was another company to add weight to the convoy, arriving with a fleet of 10 trucks.

"We have a great team and everyone joins in; what a great day," exclaims Allied boss Angelo Lociuro.

"There is no way that we would miss this and a chance to help the kids."

However, much of the convoy was made of up one-truck entries, including a smart Gunn Freight Kenworth which Shannon and Denise Brown brought down from Melbourne.

"The boss was right behind it when I let him know about the convoy," Shannon says.

"It’s been hard work to get here but it’s for a good cause.

"It’s good to see that everyone gets out and supports it."

Wayne and Robyn Trask had a little further to travel, arriving in Clearwater Logging & Transport’s six month-old Western Star from Colac.

Although an hour’s drive, Wayne and Robyn were keen to make the trip to support a good cause.

"A few of us just decided we would do it and benefit the kids," Wayne says.

"We’re pretty happy to do the convoy and the boss supports it 100 per cent."

Forward planning

Once the convoy arrived at the showgrounds, it was all about the kids with various model displays, Lego truck and train layouts and models, the most popular being the remote controlled rigs. There was also a sideshow alley and free hula hoops.

According to Graeme, although a lot of planning went into the event, he admits that at various stages the committee were a little overwhelmed, but it all came together in the end.

"A week out and we had it all sorted, and this last week has been all about putting on the finishing touches," he says.

Apart from the slow parking at the showground, and the long queue for the sausage sizzle, it all ran smoothly, although organisers are confident next year’s event will be bigger and better.

"I would like to thank all on the committee that is full of volunteers," Graeme says.

"Each one has had their own responsibilities and portfolio; each one has been magnificent and I am honoured to have been involved."

Graeme also was appreciative of the support given by the Avalon Airport personnel, and Isuzu dealership Winter & Taylor who sponsored the event’s t-shirts.

He also thanked Bay FM, the Convoy’s media partner, and all the transport companies, owners, drivers and families who gave up their day to be part of the convoy.

At the end of the day, more than $100,000 was raised for the inaugural Geelong Camp Quality Convoy.

It prompted Graeme to remark that a Camp Quality Convoy should be run annually in each state.

The StanTrans & Son crew, from left, Scott Thompson, Jayden Bowden, Samantha Bacon, John Stan, Adriana Stan and Will Stan.

Family business

We caught up with the enthusiastic StanTrans & Son crew at Avalon.

"It’s a great day," StanTrans boss John Stan says.

"We’ve come out for a good day and to help out as much as we can."

John has been operating trucks for more than 30 years and has encountered many different facets of the industry — tankers, car carriers and heavy haulage.

"We’re giving something back to those less fortunate than us," he continues.

"It’s a great cause, helping the kids."

StanTrans run four trucks around Melbourne, mainly hauling containers. It’s a family business with fleet controller Will Stan the heir apparent.

Carsten and Penny Smits.

Avalon early birds

Carsten and Penny Smits were keen to grab a prime position in the convoy, arriving early at Avalon Airport in a Patrick Autocare T359.

Based in Laverton in Melbourne, Carsten says he found out about the convoy on Facebook and decided to be part of it.

"I thought it would be a great day for the kids to see the trucks and to represent the company as well," he says.

Carsten has been with Patricks for four years and has been driving trucks for the same length of time.

"It’s a fantastic company, and I love the job," he says.

Carsten has been driving the 18 month-old T359 since new, mostly local around Melbourne and intrastate throughout Victoria.

Left to right, (rear) Jack Rotnick and Damien Bennett with (front) Lindsay Rotnik and Rueben Bennett, and the mini Peterbilt.

Mini Peterbilt

One of the most eye-catching trucks at the convoy was a pint-sized Peterbilt from Werribee, driven by Damien Bennett.

The Pete’s owner, David Boxshall, has had it specially built up for Variety Club Bash runs.

"Every year, we service it up and change the theme a little bit," Damien says.

"We put some signage on the back promoting Camp Quality and thought we would bring it along on this run."

Damien explains that the little Pete is actually a GMC ambulance sitting on an F350 chassis with Peterbilt bonnet; the whole unit riding on air bag suspension.

David and Jessica Rose.

Making the distance

The Geelong Camp Quality Convoy attracted interest from far and wide, including David and Jessica Rose, who made the trip from Drouin in the Gippsland region.

"We came a fair distance, but we wouldn’t have missed this," David says.

"It’s a great cause, just for the kids."

David subbies for Dyers Transport, running B-double tautliners into Melbourne.

"I’ve been in the game for 25 years, quite a few as an owner-driver," he explains.

"I’ve had this Kenworth for six years and I still love the job.

"And these days are just great to be a part of."

Jason Barry (right) and his partner Bronwyn.

Fired up

Jason Barry and his partner Bronwyn arrived in a new Scania owned by Viva Energy Australia.

"This is their brand new pumper and it’s worth $1.4 million," Jason says.

"It was built in Austria, and we got it in October last year."

Jason is a member of one of the emergency response teams at the Geelong refinery.